Was the federal government justified in halting Revolution Wind construction?
Federal officials halted Revolution Wind construction twice, citing national security. Rhode Island senators criticized the orders, and a judge granted preliminary relief. The project later reached its final-turbine installation milestone.
Claim in dispute
Doug Burgum said the offshore-wind pause, which included Revolution Wind, addressed emerging national-security risks from evolving adversary technology and projects near East Coast population centers.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The case concerns the justification for the two federal construction halts. The August order cited national-security and marine-use concerns during an ongoing review. The December order cited new classified defense information and initially suspended work for 90 days while officials considered mitigation. Preliminary injunctions on September 22, 2025 and January 12, 2026 allowed the project to proceed during litigation; neither order was a final judgment on the merits. On September 18, 2026, Connecticut officials said all 65 turbines had been installed and full commercial operation was expected later that year. The 704-megawatt project allocates 400 megawatts to Rhode Island and 304 to Connecticut.
People in this case
Doug BurgumDirectly involved
Jack ReedDirectly involved
Timeline
6 timeline entries on this page. Dates: August 22, 2025 to September 18, 2026
August 2025
1 event
BOEM orders a halt to offshore Revolution Wind work
Incident
BOEM directed Revolution Wind to stop offshore activities while the agency reviewed national-security and marine-use concerns. Specified emergency, safety and approval-compliance activities were excepted.
[01]BOEM Director's Order to Revolution Wind, August 22, 2025
BOEM ordered a halt to offshore project activities while it reviewed national-security and marine-use concerns. The order preserved specified emergency, safety and approval-compliance activities.
BOEM Director's Order to Revolution Wind, August 22, 2025Pages 1-2, Director's Order signed by Acting Director Matthew N. Giacona
31 days between recorded events
September 2025
1 event
Court grants preliminary relief against the first stop-work order
Judge Royce C. Lamberth stayed and enjoined the August order during litigation, permitting construction to proceed. The ruling granted preliminary relief rather than a final merits judgment.
[02]Revolution Wind v. Burgum: preliminary injunction, September 22, 2025
Signed order by Judge Royce C. Lamberth staying and enjoining the August stop-work order pending the proceedings. This was preliminary relief, not a final merits judgment.
Revolution Wind v. Burgum: preliminary injunction, September 22, 2025Case 1:25-cv-02999-RCL, Document 36, pages 1-2
91 days between recorded events
December 2025
1 event
BOEM issues a second suspension order
Incident
BOEM ordered a 90-day suspension of offshore activities, subject to emergency and safety exceptions. It cited new classified defense information and said it would assess mitigation before deciding whether cancellation was necessary.
[03]BOEM Director's Order to Revolution Wind, December 22, 2025
The order suspended offshore activities for 90 days, subject to exceptions, citing new classified defense information. BOEM said suspension was necessary while it considered mitigation.
BOEM Director's Order to Revolution Wind, December 22, 2025Pages 1-2, Director's Order signed by Acting Director Matthew N. Giacona[04]The Trump Administration Protects U.S. National Security by Pausing Offshore Wind Leases
Interior's announcement includes Revolution Wind among five paused leases. Burgum defended the action on security grounds; the department described radar interference and a review of possible mitigation.
The Trump Administration Protects U.S. National Security by Pausing Offshore Wind LeasesOpening paragraphs, Doug Burgum quotation, and affected lease list
21 days between recorded events
January 2026
1 event
Court grants preliminary relief against the second order
Judge Royce C. Lamberth stayed and enjoined enforcement of the December suspension pending the proceedings, finding the requirements for preliminary relief satisfied.
[05]Revolution Wind v. Burgum: preliminary injunction, January 12, 2026
Signed order staying and enjoining enforcement of the December 22 order pending the proceedings. The court found the requirements for preliminary relief met.
Revolution Wind v. Burgum: preliminary injunction, January 12, 2026Case 1:25-cv-02999-RCL, Document 63, page 2
249 days between recorded events
September 2026
2 events
Connecticut announces Revolution Wind’s final turbine installation
Incident
Connecticut announced that Revolution Wind’s 65th and final offshore wind turbine had been installed. The release says the 704-megawatt project was expected to reach full commercial operation later in 2026, with 304 megawatts allocated to Connecticut and 400 megawatts to Rhode Island.
[06]Connecticut announces Revolution Wind’s final turbine installation
Source excerpt
The completion of Revolution Wind’s final turbine marks an important milestone in our effort to diversify Connecticut energy production.
The release says the project’s 65th and final offshore wind turbine had been installed and that full commercial operation was expected later in 2026. It also attributes statements about energy supply, rates and grid reliability to Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino.
Connecticut announces Revolution Wind’s final turbine installationState of Connecticut press release dated September 18, 2026; opening announcement and statements by Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Cimino.Final turbine installation announced
Connecticut officials announced installation of Revolution Wind's 65th and final turbine. They expected full commercial operation later in 2026; turbine installation was a construction milestone.
[07]Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Cimino Statements on Revolution Wind Successfully Installing Its Final Turbine
Connecticut announced installation of the 65th turbine. It described the project as 704 megawatts, with 400 for Rhode Island and 304 for Connecticut, and expected full commercial operation later in 2026.
Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Cimino Statements on Revolution Wind Successfully Installing Its Final TurbineOpening paragraph and project description after the officials' statements
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Doug Burgum said the offshore-wind pause, which included Revolution Wind, addressed emerging national-security risks from evolving adversary technology and projects near East Coast population centers.
Sources (1)
- The Trump Administration Protects U.S. National Security by Pausing Offshore Wind LeasesOpening paragraphs, Doug Burgum quotation, and affected lease list
Disputed claim
Jack Reed said the administration's repeated attacks on offshore wind increased energy bills and harmed the economy.
Sources (1)
- Reed Statement on Trump Admin's Attack on Offshore Wind & RI Jobs · Jack ReedStatement following the introduction, especially second and third quoted paragraphs
Disputed claim
Sheldon Whitehouse characterized the national-security rationale for the December offshore-wind stop-work orders as a pretext.
Sources (1)
- Whitehouse Opening Statement at Permitting Reform Hearing · Sheldon WhitehouseRemarks as prepared for delivery, paragraphs discussing the August and December stop-work orders
Response record
Responses
Latest recorded positions: 3. Dates: December 22, 2025 to January 28, 2026
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
1 response on this page
Doug BurgumDirectly involved"Today’s action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, ..."
Read the official statement (opens in a new tab)The Trump Administration Protects U.S. National Security by Pausing Offshore Wind LeasesOpening paragraphs, Doug Burgum quotation, and affected lease listRead the original text (opens in a new tab)BOEM Director's Order to Revolution Wind, December 22, 2025Pages 1-2, Director's Order signed by Acting Director Matthew N. GiaconaDefended or excusedResponding to: Doug Burgum said the offshore-wind pause, which included Revolution Wind, addressed emerging national-security risks from evolving adversary technology and projects near East Coast population centers.
Why this label?
The reference point is the federal halt to Revolution Wind construction. Burgum argues that the pause addresses emerging security risks, so this statement defends the action.
This label describes the statement’s response within the context above.
Read context and background
Burgum defended the December pause on offshore-wind leases, including Revolution Wind, as a response to emerging security risks.
Role at the time: U.S. secretary of the interior
Before the statement
Interior announced an immediate pause affecting five offshore-wind leases, including Revolution Wind.
After the statement
The department said the pause would allow agencies and leaseholders to examine mitigation of risks described in classified reports. Its announcement also discussed radar interference.
The Trump Administration Protects U.S. National Security by Pausing Offshore Wind LeasesOpening paragraphs, Doug Burgum quotation, and affected lease listBOEM Director's Order to Revolution Wind, December 22, 2025Pages 1-2, Director's Order signed by Acting Director Matthew N. Giacona
Sources
(9)
Original text
BOEM Director's Order to Revolution Wind, August 22, 2025
Relevant passage: Pages 1-2, Director's Order signed by Acting Director Matthew N. Giacona
About this source
BOEM ordered a halt to offshore project activities while it reviewed national-security and marine-use concerns. The order preserved specified emergency, safety and approval-compliance activities.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Connecticut announces Revolution Wind’s final turbine installation
Relevant passage: State of Connecticut press release dated September 18, 2026; opening announcement and statements by Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Cimino.
Excerpt
"The completion of Revolution Wind’s final turbine marks an important milestone in our effort to diversify Connecticut energy production."
About this source
The release says the project’s 65th and final offshore wind turbine had been installed and that full commercial operation was expected later in 2026. It also attributes statements about energy supply, rates and grid reliability to Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino.
- Author
- Office of Governor Ned Lamont
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Cimino Statements on Revolution Wind Successfully Installing Its Final Turbine
Relevant passage: Opening paragraph and project description after the officials' statements
About this source
Connecticut announced installation of the 65th turbine. It described the project as 704 megawatts, with 400 for Rhode Island and 304 for Connecticut, and expected full commercial operation later in 2026.
- Author
- Office of Governor Ned Lamont
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Revolution Wind v. Burgum: preliminary injunction, January 12, 2026
Relevant passage: Case 1:25-cv-02999-RCL, Document 63, page 2
About this source
Signed order staying and enjoining enforcement of the December 22 order pending the proceedings. The court found the requirements for preliminary relief met.
- Author
- Royce C. Lamberth
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Whitehouse Opening Statement at Permitting Reform Hearing
Relevant passage: Remarks as prepared for delivery, paragraphs discussing the August and December stop-work orders
About this source
Whitehouse's prepared remarks criticized both Revolution Wind halts, disputed the national-security justification and explained his pause in permitting-reform negotiations.
- Author
- Sheldon Whitehouse
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Reed Statement on Trump Admin's Attack on Offshore Wind & RI Jobs
Relevant passage: Statement following the introduction, especially second and third quoted paragraphs
About this source
Reed criticized the renewed halt to offshore wind projects, explicitly including Revolution Wind, and argued that the policy harmed jobs and electricity affordability.
- Author
- Jack Reed
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
The Trump Administration Protects U.S. National Security by Pausing Offshore Wind Leases
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs, Doug Burgum quotation, and affected lease list
About this source
Interior's announcement includes Revolution Wind among five paused leases. Burgum defended the action on security grounds; the department described radar interference and a review of possible mitigation.
- Author
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
BOEM Director's Order to Revolution Wind, December 22, 2025
Relevant passage: Pages 1-2, Director's Order signed by Acting Director Matthew N. Giacona
About this source
The order suspended offshore activities for 90 days, subject to exceptions, citing new classified defense information. BOEM said suspension was necessary while it considered mitigation.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Revolution Wind v. Burgum: preliminary injunction, September 22, 2025
Relevant passage: Case 1:25-cv-02999-RCL, Document 36, pages 1-2
About this source
Signed order by Judge Royce C. Lamberth staying and enjoining the August stop-work order pending the proceedings. This was preliminary relief, not a final merits judgment.
- Author
- Royce C. Lamberth
- Published
- Accessed
Corrections
(0)
Corrections address errors in our reporting or labels. When a speaker changes their position, we add a separate statement and link it to the earlier one.
No corrections on this page.